You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

💡 Did you know?

⏺ If you can't accept iCloud Terms and Conditions... Learn more >

⏺ If you don't see your iCloud notes in the Notes app... Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

iPhone 4S dropping network and data at random

Hi,

I've been using an iPhone 4 on a Vodafone contract for the past 16 month and just bought an iPhone 4S direct from Apple. It arrived on Friday morning and I got it set up correctly as far as I can tell.

When I first turn it on, it works lovely and exactly as I would expect, able to make calls, send texts and access the internet via the cellular network. However, at what appears to be random, the network will disappear (no bars of signal) stopping me making calls and texts, but still allowing me to access the internet. Sometimes, the Internet goes, but I can still make calls and texts. Other times, everything is gone and I get "No Signal" where it normally says Vodafone UK.

So when trying to fix this problem after it's noticed, I try putting it into Airplane mode and back out. The phone scans for a network and goes back to the same state as before I tried this fix. I have tried resetting network settings, but this doesn't change anything. The only thing that actually fixes it temporarily is turning the phone right off and back on again.

At this stage I assume this is a bug with the software, but I wondered if anyone else is experiencing anything like this? If no one is, I will take it up with Apple, but I don't really want to do that as I love the new phone so much!!

Cheers, Stuart

iMac (late 2009), Mac OS X (10.6.3), 27" i7 Quad-Core, 4GB RAM, 1TB HDD

Posted on Oct 16, 2011 2:53 AM

1,022 replies

Nov 3, 2011 6:14 AM in response to lovehelmet

Completely agree.

Nov 3, 2011 7:17 AM in response to lovehelmet

I have the same problem in the netherlands - apparently it does help for some people to disable the SIM pincode. Of course the SIM is no longer protected then.

This does not help in my case - i am hardly able to make any call at all.

This is my 4th iphone and i am pretty dissapointed.

dekko

Level 1

0 points

Nov 3, 2011 9:50 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

So I see now Apple confirm battery problem and will release a new version of iOS that fixes it.

Anyone heard anything about Apple fixing this connection problem that some people are experiencing?

Nov 3, 2011 9:53 AM in response to dekko

From what i hear the beta of 5.0.1 does NOT fix it. But that is just hearsay..... i really need this to be fixed!

Nov 3, 2011 1:06 PM in response to Dave20007

COME ON APPLE!

Nov 3, 2011 3:51 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Sorry apple guys.

I have Iphone 4S bougth in UK and i like in Brasil. I'm using TIM.

Never set SIM PIN on the phone and after i came from UK i started to got the same error.

Rebooting sometimes solve the problem, sometimes reseting the network.

But i think there is more than simple the SIM PIN code setup. as i never used it.

Hope they solve this update a.s.a.p other wise have to come back to Iphone 4.

Nov 3, 2011 7:33 PM in response to Rafael Scheeffer

Well, exciting news! After going to the Apple store, the phone worked for 4 days, and now just randomly shut itself off. Now it's doing the exact same thing agian.

searching...

ATT

searching...

What a pile.

antzy1

Level 1

0 points

Nov 3, 2011 7:59 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Hello,

My problem is that my data signal seems to be constantly dropping. I can see the name of the network and full bars, but there is no 3G/E/o next to it. I can make and receive calls, send and receive text messages, but can't use any data functions. If I toggle Airport Mode it'll find a 3G connection, which lasts for a little while.

Sounds to me like maybe it is getting stuck in GSM mode and is not searching for a data network? Cellular data is on, and I am not using a SIM pin.

Any thoughts?

Nov 3, 2011 8:28 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

I am in Canada on the Rogers system and the signal is inconsistent, calls drop with regularity, scratchy or people cannot hear me. I had great speed at the beginning, now it searchs for much too long with no results at times. Got phone on Monday the 31st. Replaced an iPhone 4. Hope it gets fixed soon.

The SIM idea will not work as it is already off.

Nov 4, 2011 7:20 AM in response to johnfromwinnipg

Only way to get attention is to flood apple with info on this matter: fill in form at: http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html and let them know..

perre08

Level 1

0 points

Nov 4, 2011 8:30 AM in response to lovehelmet

Same case for me 😟

panzert4

Level 1

0 points

Nov 4, 2011 9:07 AM in response to ed_got

hej, got exacly the same problem as you. network drops everytime i try to make a call and have to restart the phone to be able to make a phonecall.

i disabled the pin code, i disabled the wifi, i completly reinstall the software 2 times same problem.

called tele2 and they say i cant get another phone yet.

i thought the main function of a phone is to call and getting calls. how can they screw up with that?! i need a working phone HELP!

ed_got did they change your phone, and if so is it working ?

ed_got

Level 1

0 points

Nov 4, 2011 9:33 AM in response to panzert4

Panzert4,

I bought my phone at media markt. I took it back on Tuesday. I turned the phone in to the service people.

Don't know when I will hear from them. :(

mbolo01

Level 1

0 points

Nov 4, 2011 11:51 AM in response to janhjordie

Hi disappointed people,

Same exacts symptoms for my iPhone 4S with a brand new Orange France micro-SIM. The cellular connection does not last or breaks inconsistently.

Looks like a software bug ......has anybody got success with a device replacement?

Salutations.

Jérôme

Nov 4, 2011 4:30 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

So, i got my replacment phone from the apple store.... Same problem! Why have apple not aknowledged this problem yet? Not much of smart phone without 3g! I may as well have 2 plastic cups and a piece of string!

iPhone 4S dropping network and data at random